Although skies over Culver City have been spotlessly blue all day, City Councilman Steve Rose — who has no known training as a meteorologist — looked heavenward this afternoon, and he reported seeing cloudy terminology passing persistently overhead.
For weeks, Mr. Rose said, this newspaper and others in Culver City have been guilty of language-mangling.
“What a revolting development this is,” Mr. Rose cracked in identifying the erroneous language.
He said journalists have been incorrectly describing the various rebuild projects around Culver City that have come before elected officials at City Hall.
Changing Colors
According to the Councilman, “redevelopment” projects have been labeled “developments.” Conversely, or perhaps subversively, “developments” have been referred to as “redevelopments.”
The truth in black and white is that this newspaper is redfaced. This newspaper appears to have been using “redevelopment” and “development” interchangeably.
Or is it interactively?
Before the too-casual treatment of the language truly “developed” into a crisis, Mr. Rose said it was time for him to clarify and to correct the use of developer-style terminology that has become commonplace in Culver City.
My Word, He Wants a Word with You
As an amateur philologist, Mr. Rose said, he has had his fill — or is it “phil”? — of misspent language.
In last Tuesday’s coverage of a “development” at the southwest corner of Washington Place and Centinela — (see “Mar Vista Makes Impressive Splash in Being Turned Away,” Sept. 25) — Mr. Rose said that project incorrectly was described as a “redevelopment.”
How would one know terms were loosely used? Mr. Rose was asked.
The Councilman himself appeared to loosen up, briefly.
Time to Get Technical — or Picky?
“Technically,” he said, “it was correct to refer to the project as a ‘redevelopment.’ But there is a difference in the two terms. In Culver City when we say ‘redevelopment,’ that implies government involvement. It implies that the Redevelopment Agency is involved.
“I would define a ‘development’ as two entities from the private sector working together to achieve the common good of their goals.”
Got that?
If Mr. Rose’s definitions lack comprehensive clarity, consider his own dilemma:
Telling Them Apart
He was elected to the City Council. Like his four Council colleagues on the Council, Mr. Rose also sits on the Redevelopment Agency. Not infrequently, they meet on the same evening. No one on the dais changes seats.
The City Council rules only on “development” projects.
The Redevelopment Agency rules only on “redevelopment” projects.
Or is it the other way?
For a definition of the difference, see above. Or below. What is the difference? Please save that question for the next time.